Our veteran commenter and associate member “Triple D” gets the credit for planting the vision of “The Revenge of Green Akers” in my meager brain. He stuck it in there good, and now it’s playing over and over like an Archies song or a carpet-cleaning commercial.
I liked David Akers, too. But the time had come to part… Now it’s up to divine intervention to determine whether the guy who still wears # 2 will come back to haunt us.
Akers holds a slew of franchise career records, such as most regular-season games played (188), points (1,323) and field goals (294). After Akers missed two field goals in the Eagles’ 20-16 playoff loss to Green Bay, however, coach Andy Reid decided to switch kickers.
“It’s tough, but unfortunately (personnel moves) are part of this game,” Reid said. “I have the highest regards for David Akers. You’re talking about the greatest kicker in Eagles history. I mean, I think that’s probably a slam dunk. He’s also a great person and he did a tremendous amount in the community, so I’m sure he will be welcomed back with open arms (by the fans).”
Personally I’m a little more focused on what kind of game this is gonna have to be for David Akers to have no bearing on its outcome whatsoever… After all, he’s a Niners now…
As for Alex Smith…
David Fucillo of NinersNation.com noted a comment by 49ers OC Greg Roman in a presser today that he expects the Eagles to blitz a lot more than anyone’s yet seen from them in the first three games…
“We’ve heard a decent amount (posted here and elsewhere) about how Alex Smith has solid passing numbers against the blitz. He has a QB rating of 143.1 against the blitz this season, which is good for third season. Whatever is qualified as “the blitz” aside, here’s where I’ve found myself scratching my head. One of the many problems with the traditional QB rating statistic is that it does not address sacks in its formula.”
“Alex Smith has been sacked 11 times this season, which is tied for fourth worst in the NFL. Now whether you want to blame the offensive line or Smith (both have been responsible for sacks at different times), his 143.1 QB rating against the blitz does not reflect the times the blitz has knocked him on his backside…”
I still find it unbelievable that the QB ratings system does not factor in sacks as a downgrading factor…but that’s what David Fucillo tells me. Hey, this is turning into a Physics Class! I’m starting to bore myself. Let me give you a break here… I’ll be back shortly to finish the blurb and update the FF standings…
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After the break—
Okay, I also am further befuddled by the statement above about Alex Smith having “a good ‘third season’ rating” against the blitz… I think the guy means Alex Smith’s 3rd consecutive “starting” season… but still not sure… All I know is the Eagles front four (and an occasional corner or safety blitz) should be brought into Castillo’s defensive game plan early to really concentrate on getting after this guy…
Alex Smith, 6-4, 217, age 27, 7th year out of Utah…
Smith is quietly ascending into that middle shelf of NFL quarterbacks known as “serviceable”… think Trent Dilfer from years ago, I suppose. But there’s no question in my mind the Eagles have got to get to Smith and rattle his game plan before the 49ers somehow manage to rattle Vick. The Eagles must not let Smith settle into a comfortable place where he’s content to “manage” the game…and by all means open this game up and tear it apart so that the Revenge of Green Akers has no chance of happening at the end…
That’s why I call for dialing up a few more blitzes and changing up the pace on the guy… whom I like. Alex is not a bad guy…Alex Smith has got…moxie.
After all, if Vick’s gonna play, his time may be limited. Eagles need to make a defensive statement and take over the tempo of the game long before Vick has a chance to ding up his hand…or worse. Much more than under normal circumstances, Vick’s hand will be tested by opponents trying to exploit any kind of vulnerability. He’ll have to be prepared for the kinds of hits and ultimate tests he hasn’t seen since, well, last Sunday, when he was unable to finish a second straight game due to injury…
“It’s important to protect the ball each and every week and each and every down,” Vick said after Friday’s practice. “So, you know, the hand is something that I won’t think about. I’m just going to try to go out and play and just try to be effective and play my part.”
“I mean, it’s sore, it’s real sore. But you know what? I feel like I’ve played through worse and I think the most important thing is to just go out and play and be conscious of protecting it, but at the same time just letting it all go. And if it’s too much that I can’t bear and something’s really wrong, then I’ll probably come out of the game, but hopefully not. I keep saying my prayers and hopefully things will work out.”
“I know that if I was a defensive player, I’d know what I’d be doing [against Vick],” center Jason Kelce said. “And I think that any time a player is dinged up or something like that, if I’m a competitor, I’m going to go after it. I’m going to do anything I can to get a competitive advantage. … I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody goes after Mike’s hand in that game. But I think he would be smart enough to cover it up.”
Added defensive tackle Mike Patterson: “I’m sure there’s guys that are going to come after him and his hand this week just because he’s injured. I wouldn’t doubt that they’d come after him like that.”
Just another reason in my mind that the Eagles will in effect protect Vick by dialing up increased pressure on Alex Smith.
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Our GK Emeritus must cover his eyes now, because Brizer (who unabashedly proclaims “Fantasy Football sucks…”) must not be exposed to this following report on the current standings and results of the BRISUKSEGG Fantasy Football League:
Week 3
Nut Chokers (1-2) (JB99 aka Bootsy Collins) at TEAM-BONE (2-1) (Boner), 74-138;
Team Conahan (2-1) (Robert Conahan) at HOW YOU LIKE DEM APPLES (1-2) (J. Huston), 78-83;
The Amputatoes (2-1) (jERKEDuP) at McLuvin’s Pastries (1-2) (Leo Pizzini), 129- 93;
Lancaster Rubber Necks (2-1) (Gary Conahan) at DEM STINKEN BUMS (0-3) (ATV), 155- 129;
Marty Funkhouser (2-1) (Harry Organs) at GREEN MACHINE (0-3) (David Calvo), 211- 117;
Team Jax Eagles (2-1) (Andrew Mandarakas) at SUNNY’s JOCK STRAP (3-0) (Mothra), 73- 107.
At the risk of offending our dear GK Emeritus (get better fast, Brizer, we know you’re not feeling well), I thank T-Boner and Hud and JerkedUp for updating us with the FF league results for Week 3.
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Late Saturday Update, October 1, 2011: South Philly Ben’s picks by Ben Gold
“Good day, all, lovely day here in Florida, a pleasant 71 F. Well, here are my No Balls Pix of the Week….”
DET +2.5 over Dallas
CAROLINA +6 over Chicago
JAX +7 over New Orleans
TENN over Cleveland (pick ’em, I got Titans by 1.5…)
BUF over Cinci +3
MINN over K.C. +2.5
IGGLES over 49ers + 9.5 (this line was off all week!)
ST.LOUIS + 2.5 over Washington
PITT +3.5 over Houston
ATL over Seattle +4.5
ARIZONA +1.5 over the She-Men (c’mon Kolb, help an old friend out!)
DENVER +12.5 over Green Bay (too many points to pass on)
OAKLAND +4.5 over New England (I like what Hugh’s doing with that team)
S.D. over Miami +7
N.Y. JETS +3.5 over Baltimore
INDY +10 over Tampa Bay (Monday Night Football)
“Anyhow, can’t wait until Sunday! ..and oh yeah, Saturday night— go Phitens'”
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